4.75 ⭐️

Both haunting and heartfelt, The Souls of Last Lake is a must-read. The story is split between two timelines, one present-day and one set in the 1930s. The narrative for the present-day timeline is through Wren Blythe, who switches her focus from working with youth ministry to search-and-rescue when a little girl goes missing near the youth camp. When Wren joins the search, she signs up for more than she bargained for—and the secrets she unearths may cost her more than she can pay. The narrative for the past day timeline is through Ava Coons, who was accused of murdering her family when she was only thirteen years old. When more people are found murdered the same way as Ava’s family was, the town of Tempter’s Creek is more than willing to pin the blame on Ava. The only problem: Before they can find her to convict her for wrongs she didn’t commit, Ava disappears. Where did she go? You’ll have to read to find out!

There were several things I loved about this book.

The first was the author’s writing style. Wow, it was so engaging! The way she worded everything and described the scenes made me want to keep turning the pages. Honest confession: I started and finished this book within a few hours, which goes to show how good it was!

The second was the way the author handled the balance between spiritual truths and spookiness. Not going to lie, a few times, my eyes bugged out when reading both Wren’s and Ava’s stories because, well, they were spooky! But the author handled this book with care, and I so appreciated that. I’ve read some books that were under the genre of ‘mystery and suspense,’ but to be honest, the spooky scenes were described in such a vivid/gory way that the book should have been under the ‘horror’ genre. While not making the story too creepy, the author certainly did make my eyes bug out a few times! 

Also, it takes talent to balance spiritual truths and spookiness, but the author did a fantastic job of making both relevant in the story, not one or the other. I really appreciated Ava’s faith journey in the story and how she ultimately learned that she was not only worthy of God’s love and being defended by Him, but also by someone else (*hint* it may or not be the person Ava disappeared with!) 

The third was the characters. Ahh, so many good ones. My favorite I’d have to say was Eddie. His relationship with his mom, with Wren, and the grief he wrestled with after his mom died just made his character so relatable and personal. I promise not to spoil anything, but when Eddie and Wren have a certain conversation about his mom, I may or may not have teared up a little. 

The only thing that kept me from giving this book a full five stars was the love triangle between Wren, Eddie, and Troy. I’m just not the biggest fan of love triangles, usually because they’re portrayed in a way I don’t appreciate. The author handled this one really well, though, so that’s why I only docked as few points as possible. (This dislike is just my personal opinion and not a reflection of poor writing, plot, character-building, etc.)

Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of this book. I would absolutely recommend it to those who love spooky, faith-filled stories that are absolute page-turners!

Fans of Jaime Jo Wright know to expect a certain eerie, haunting quality in her tales. The Souls of Lost Lake is beyond even what we would normally expect from Wright. She is the only author I know who can include ax murders and still maintain the integrity of the Christian fiction genre. I must say here that even those who enjoy an incredibly spooky campfire tale who don't identify as Christina will love this story.

This split time story tells us of Ava Coons, accused of being a type of Lizzie Borden, and Arwen Blythe, a twenty-six year old secretary at a large Christian camp who has felt lost most of her life. Discovering how their stories intertwine will keep readers up late into the night. Maybe, just maybe, readers will be inspired to reach out to those they encounter who feel lost, for whatever reason.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of The Souls of Lost Lake from Bethany House via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Wow! Wow! Wow! Jaime Jo Wright has outdone herself! The Souls of Lost Lake pulled me in deeper than the waters of Lost Lake with a magnificent story that will stay with me long after the last page.

Wren Blythe has a complicated life. She lives with her father, working ministry at a youth camp in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. She joins in the search for a little girl who has gone missing in the area causing rumors of decades old murderess, Ava Coons, could be involved. In the 1930s, Ava Coons comes out of the woods carrying an ax and covered in blood. Her family’s cabin is found burned to the ground with blood around the ground but no sight of any of her family. At thirteen years old, Ava doesn’t remember what happened to her family and the townspeople blame her for their deaths. Years pass before another murder hits the town and Ava is the prime suspect. Decades separate Ava and Wrene, but there is a wickedness in town that will bring them together to save the lives of those they love.

Jaime Jo Wright is fast becoming one of my favorite authors. I was slow to pick up her books because she writes part of her stories in the past and historical fiction has not been one of my top go to genres. But when you write in the way Jamie Jo Wright does, it doesn’t really matter if it is past, present, or future; the story is so good it takes time out of the equation and puts the reader deep within the story. I am finding with each of her books that I read it is better than the last and The Souls of Lost Lake is no exception. Both the past and the present timelines are so intriguing with characters readers will have no choice but to fall in love with and want to desperately find out how their story turns out. I have never enjoyed historical stories much, just hard for me to get into and relate to the characters, but here I have fallen in love with even the secondary characters and can’t wait to turn the pages and see what happens. I started this one while in a reading slump, not even wanting to read for a few weeks, which is very unusual for me, but this book turned me around and I flew through the pages devouring the story within. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a great mystery that will be hard to put down and accomplish anything else. One of the rare books I wish I could give more than five stars.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

"We're all lost in our own ways. Some of us just hide when we shouldn't. We hide in our grief, in our minds, in our pain... in the woods... or in a story, like Ava Coons."

Once again, Jaime Jo Wright beautifully brings to life a dual timeline story of mystery, murder, and intrigue wrapped around a timeless theme of grief, sense of displacement, and a hunger for belonging so central in our human experience. Though the story starts out with a scary campfire story, it's definitely less eerie and chilling than the author's previous books. The suspense and mystery components in both timelines are really powerful with twists and turns in the plot that will have the reader perplexed and absolutely invested in figuring out the villain. It will keep you up way past your bedtime. This book should be made into a movie!

Told in third person perspective, but only in the women's voices, the narrative moves swiftly and pulls the reader in from the first page. Ava and Noah in 1930s are an interesting pair. Ava is uncouth in her backwoods ways and Noah is often conflicted regarding his feelings and actions toward Ava but they somehow complement each other. Wren and Eddie in the present time are best friends working at a Bible camp. Theirs is the story of a believer’s unfiltered grief and pain in losing a loved one even as they find each other in the midst of their suffering. Search and rescue for a lost little girl in the woods ties Ava and Wren’s stories together as the truth in the ghost stories of Ava Coons comes to light.

I received the book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.

The best book I've read this year! I'm a huge fan of author Jaime Jo Wright and love all her books, but this one took the cake!!!! Spooky, funny, and with tear-jerker scenes, this novel kept me hooked till the last page!

To be honest, I was never someone who liked split-time fiction until I read my first Jaime Jo Wright book. But she made me a fan! Why, you may ask? Because she has this incredible talent to take two seemingly separate and unrelated tales and weave them together in a masterful way that can really only be described a true genius. I love how she carefully crafts a story that allows the details to flow together so well. I also stayed up way too late to finish this novel, as I was eager to see the stories come together. I thought the suspenseful, almost eerie, tone of this book was exciting and made the book hard to put down. As if the actual storyline wasn’t brilliant enough, she also manages to write about some deep, tough subjects; pain and grief come through so real and raw that it made it easy to connect with the characters and feel like I was pulled into the story. I honestly cannot give this book justice with a review so I will end by saying, please do yourself a favor and get a copy as you will not be disappointed! Highly recommended!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Eeek! It’s late but I had to finish this book…had to know what really happened with Ava coons….the ending was a surprise.
This book has a lot of creepiness going on.
And other stuff too.
In the historical time period - A lake hidden in the middle of a forest. A young girl carrying a bloodied axe, left without her family....
In the present day - Arwen (Wren) is fascinated by the story of Ava Coons, and wants to know what really happened. And then a little girl goes missing.
This story is probably my new fav from Jaime Jo Wright. But it does have a high-level creep factor, so it's not ideal for late night reading. ;)
I highly recommend it for anyone who enjoys a good mystery. There are lots of unexpected events in this story, but keep reading, and rest assured, the end is satisfying.
Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

Wren Blythe is haunted . . . by the missing that come to her in dreams and by a lingering sense that she herself is somehow lost. Caught up in a desperate search for a missing little girl, Wren is also determined to seek out the secrets of Lost Lake and her eerie connection to its past.

Ava Coons is a campfire ghost story. A young girl who stumbled from the woods almost a century ago, dragging an axe dripping with her family’s blood. For years, she lived quietly in the small town of Tempter’s Creek, until one day she murdered again . . . and then again. Then she vanished. So they say. But every few years, she returns to steal another soul and drag them back to lost lake. So they say.

The Souls of Lost Lake draws upon the lore of campfire tales to spin a story that will leave your spine tingling with chills. It’s a clean read and a page-turner, but be careful if you read it at night—Ava Coons just might visit you!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Mesmerizing down to every last detail. I was swept into the murky waters of Lost Lake and it refused to relinquish its hold until I had finished this book. The characters come to life on the page in a way that doesn't just make you feel for them, but leaves goosebumps on your arms. The book was creepy, but also packed with hope. That is one aspect I love of Jaime Jo Wright's books. They are thrilling down to their core, but the heart of them is full of hope even in the murky depths of the unknown and when facing evil. I will say, this is my absolute favorite of hers so far, and that alone says volumes as I love her other books. Ava and Noah were my absolute favorites!! And a twist at the end I did not see coming at all!

Jaime Jo Wright has mastered the art of dual timeline mysteries. Personally, I have never been one to choose to read historical fiction because I prefer to read more contemporary fiction. However, I really enjoy reading stories like this one that connect the past to the present. In Souls of Lost Lake, the historical storyline comes out of the 1930's when Ava Coons wanders out of the woods carrying a bloody axe and the whereabouts of her family are unknown. The present day story finds Wren Blythe getting involved in the search for a little girl who has gone missing in the same woods that Ava Coons emerged from many decades earlier.

Readers will keep turning the pages to discover the answers to both mysteries. I can honestly say I was surprised by the endings to both storylines. This story is complete with an eerie setting and creepy vibes. Be cautious reading this book late into the night. In addition to writing page-turning suspense, the author deals with themes of loss, grief, redemption, and the search for truth.

Thank you to the author and publisher for an advanced copy of this book via Netgalley. I received this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

How does one describe the best book I have read in a long time. This was spooky yet tender. The time shift from past to present was done beautifully. I always could tell who was being talked about. I could not put this down and stayed up late to finish. Ava and Wren were fantastic characters and so alike in many ways. How does one survive a bad reputation that you do not deserve. I loved all the twists and turns and finding out what really happened in the past and present was very intense. I received a copy of this book from Netgalley for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

Secrets, hauntings, a spooky doll, mysterious killings. If you love a good time-slip mystery, then this is your book; it had me spellbound from the first page! There are so many twists and turns, I could not predict the outcome. Ava Coons has been the subject of lore in Tempter’s Creek, where her family was brutally murdered in the early 1900’s. Wren lives at the Deer Lake Bible Camp and is searching for a missing young girl. Both stories are intricately entwined around the mystery of Lost Lake.

Warning, you’ll be hard-pressed to put this one down!

I received a copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers through NetGalley and was under no obligation to write a positive review.

🌷Book Review🌷
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5

The first time I saw the cover for this book, I knew that this will be a great story!
My face was like 🙀🙀🙀 at the end. 🤣

So this book is a dual timeline, about Wren Blythe and Ava Coons, a missing child, and a mysterious massacre of a family.

If only I have less responsibility, I might have finished this for 1-2 days. 😂
There is no dull moment. And for me, it is a well written book. Not rushed.
The amount of Christianity is also good. Clean story.
You can recommend this book to your non christian friends and they will not turn it down.

Highly recommended book for those who like creepy mysteries and a bit of romance.

Book releases on April 5th.
And did you know that she will release another book this year?! Ahhhhh!!!!! 💕🌷

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cb39kEyLZA2/?utm_medium=copy_link

This was another stellar read from Jaime Jo Wright. I've loved all of her books, but this just might be my new favorite. It's exactly the kind of creepy and atmospheric thriller that I crave. And while this one definitely had some chills, some goosebump-inducing moments, things never got to be too much for me.

I was hooked from the very first page, completely captivated by the campfire ghost story of Ava Coons, wanting to know the real tale behind it because we all know that the very best ghost stories are steeped in at least a little bit of fact. I also quickly became equally invested in the present-day storyline following Wren Blythe. Both timelines were compelling, and I couldn't pick a favorite if you asked me. The mysteries were great and kept me on the edge of my seat for the majority of the book. I did guess some of the twists, but there were still quite a few things that surprised me.

This was a very satisfying read that tugged at all of my emotions. I can't recommend it highly enough.

I received an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

"The Souls of Lost Lake" by Jaime Jo Wright was a very interesting read. This book took me a little while to get into it, but once I did, I couldn't put it down! I love how Jaime Jo Wright weaves a story from many years ago into a present story. I was really wondering how the stories were going to intersect, but they did! This book was a little scary, at times, for me. It made it a little hard to sleep at night! I highly recommend this book if you like good, clean, suspenseful with some scariness thrown in!

I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley for my honest opinion.

The Souls of Lost Lake by Jaime Jo Wright brings all of the spookiness and mystery we’ve come to expect as fans of this author. The split timeline novel gives readers two intriguing stories. In 1930’s a child is found dragging a bloody axe, her family missing. Ava Coons doesn’t remember what happened to her as a child, but the town thinks she murdered her family and accuse her of more recent murders. Pastor Noah Prichard believes she’s innocent and decides to protect her. In the current timeline, Wren Blythe deals with the mystery of a missing girl. The legend of Ava Coon pulls her into the forest, and she feels a connection to Lost Lake. But things unravel when she starts to realize her personal connection to the missing child.

I love how Wright weaves two different stories into one fabulous tale. The eerie settings and dynamic characters drew me into the story. Both timelines took plenty twists and turns, but also brought out a level of emotion that took me by surprise. Wren deals with a lot of grief and loss, as does Ava. From trauma to triumph, both characters had inspiring journeys through the pages of the book. There’s a layer of romance in the story, and I love the relationship that develops between Ava and Noah, as well as Wren finding out who she truly belongs with.

This story does have that creepy factor, but the haunting story with complex characters will work its way into your heart. Be sure to check out the The Souls of Lost Lake when it releases April 5th.

I received an ebook review copy of this book through Bethany House. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Get ready for another thriller by author Jaime Jo Wright. The Souls of Lost Lake kept me riveted, in the daytime at least. Wright’s story is a good balance of good vs evil. Caring vs nasty. All woven into a dual timeline that fits together extremely well; no loose ends here. And Wright upped her romance game. There was plenty of tension yet not so much that it took away from the spooky suspense of the story. And mysteries abound. Which I never figured out.

A story of home. A story of hope. A story of redemption. This seriously has something for everyone. I will warn readers that it’s gory at times and contains threads of kidnapping and mental illness. Yet it wraps up as a beautiful story that left me with a huge, satisfied sigh. I highly recommend it!

I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.

Present Day.

Many would consider Wren Blythe’s life, helping her family manage a youth camp in the Northwoods of Wisconsin, idyllic. However, the disappearance of a young girl resurrects the old, campfire tale of the child-murderess Ava Coons. While on the search, Wren comes across the remains of the Coonses’ cabin and discovers there might be more to the haunting story — something more real and terrifying than she ever imagined.

1930.

An outcast, Ava Coons has spent years under the weight of the unknown. As a thirteen-year-old, she emerged from the woods, covered in blood, dragging a logger’s ax. The town of Tempter’s Creek believe she annihilated her family before hiding their bodies. She has no memories of anything that happened before that day that could confirm or deny those accusations. When a town member is murdered, folks quickly cast the blame at her feet once more, and this time they have no intention of letting her get away with it.

The queen of spooky, Jaime Jo Wright delivers her most eerie story to date in The Souls of Lost Lake. A master at world building, the woods around Tempter’s Creek come to life with a spine-tingling vividness that has the reader peeking around trees, sensing invisible gazes — or in my case, running for the next light switch after I accidentally left myself in the dark.

Flawless characterization and shocking twists gripped me, making the book impossible to set aside. Not that I tried. Though my polar opposite, Ava Coons’ plight captured me completely as the world around us shrank as the bloodthirsty townsfolk closed in. Honestly, I don’t know what else to say other than, if you love surprising mysteries set to breath-snatching settings, read The Souls of Lost Lake! Every time I think Wright can’t possibly do anything to outdo herself or surprise me, she goes and does just that.

We've all been there....summer camp. Sitting around the campfire telling ghost stories while eating smores and feeling the hairs on the back of our neck stand up. Then you hear a twig snap and you just know that someone is going to get you.

This book is the first I've read of Jaime Jo Wright but I'm definitely going to be reading more! I've been looking for a clean psychological thriller author for quite some time and I've just found a great one!! This story of two women, separated by 90 years, looking for answers to their pasts so they can move on with their future is gripping, scary, and downright exciting!!

You have it all....the camp scene, the burned down cabin, the lake, the creepy lady in the woods, the doll.....

So many things I want to say but I don't want to spoil anything for readers of this fabulous book! There is suspense, romance, sad periods of time, and moments of encouragement. It was great to read a book so thrilling but without all the improper language use!! This is my kind of book and I look forward to more like this one!

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!

Jaime Jo Wright does it again! She writes the best dual time spooky stories! Ava Coons is running for her life after the people of Tempter's Creek are blaming another murder on her. They already think that she killed her family after she was found bloody wandering through town. Will she ever be able to remember the night her family was killed and clear her name? Fast forward nine decades and the campfire story of Ava Coons is still being told. After a little girl goes missing, people try to blame Ava Coons and Lost Lake. Wren gets pulled into the search for the missing girl and discovers potential ties to her past in the search as well. Will Wren be able to shake the feeling of being lost? Will they ever find the missing girl? Such a great read that while is a little dark and spooky, there is also romance and the search for one's true identity found in the story.

I received a copy of this book via the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.